Izvorul Oltului, Giurgeului Mountains

The spring of Olt. This is where the Olt river begins to collect stories.

Access

From Miercurea Ciuc, the county seat municipality of Harghita county, follow the European road E578 or DN12 to Gheorgheni, then DN12C, DJ125 and DJ125A to the point called Trecaotarea Oltului. There are 72 km that can be covered by road in 1.5 hours. From Gheorgheni, next to the campsite, there is also a shortcut, which starts from DN12C directly on DJ125A. Here you shorten 6 km, the road being accessible to cars, but quite damaged and narrow in places, crossing a forest.

About the Giurgeului Mountains

The Giurgeului Mountains (in Hungarian Gyergyói-havasok) belong to the mountain range of the Eastern Carpathians. The maximum altitude is reached in Vârful Sipos, at 1,568 m above sea level, and in Vârful Prișca, at 1,545 m above sea level. To the north they are bordered by the Călimani Mountains, to the northeast by the Bilbor and Borsec depressions and the Bistriței Mountains, to the south by the Hășmaș Mountains, and to the west by the Hășmașului depression. The main ridge of the Giurgeului Mountains, marked with a red band, stretches between Pasul Răchițiș in the north and Piciorul Niergheș in the south.

Izvorul Oltului (the Spring of Olt) is one of the tourist attractions of the Giurgeului Mountains, along with Izvorul Mureșului and Peștera Șugau. The Olt originates near the Olt Pass, is one of the longest rivers in Romania and flows into the Danube after 615 km, near Turnu Măgurele, crossing cities, towns, depressions and cutting an impressive gorge between the Făgăraș, Cozia, Lotrului and Căpățănii Mountains.

Route Map

(click on objectives for extended version)

Technical Box

Length 1 km round trip

Duration 20 minutes round trip

Marking Red cross

Difficulty easy

Level difference +20 m / – 20 m

Minimum altitude 1240 m

Maximum altitude 1262 m

1. Trecătoarea Oltului (Oltului Pass) – Izvorul Oltului (Oltului Spring)

In Trecătoarea Oltuluii you can get off the cars. Here is a hub of hiking and biking trails. The red cross marking directs our steps towards the Olt Spring passing by the Kovács Peter Catholic Chapel. There are several rest stops with wooden benches. The wide, forested, flat road passes through blueberry bushes, from which we can eat to our heart’s content if the fruits are ripe. After 10 minutes of walking, on the right of the road, you will find Izvorul Oltului.

bluebell

Kovács Peter Catholic Chapel

ripe blueberries

red cross mark

branching routes

2. Izvorul Oltului (The Spring of Olt)

Izvorul Oltului is located at an altitude of 1,262 meters. The spring has a large flow and provides good, cold drinking water. A set-up makes it easier to fill water cans. All around is a grassy plain with flowers. From Izvorul Oltului we admire the Hășmașului Mountains between Hășmașul Negru Peak, Piatra Roșie and Hăhmașul Mare. The return is made on the same route.

Hașmaș Mountains

Hășmașul Negru (s), Piatra Roșie (m), Hășmașul Mare (d)

Izvorul Oltului

explanatory panel

Conclusions

Izvorul Oltului is a reason to deviate from Gheorgheni to this pleasant place, very easily accessible for a little rest and a mouthful of cold water. Izvorul Mureșului is also nearby.

All the best!

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